Some of the
world's top pop stars are facing growing pressure to keep
skimpy outfits and steamy dance moves off the stage during
their concerts in Muslim-majority Malaysia, event
organizers said Wednesday, citing protests by
conservative Islamic critics who believe such Western
performers can corrupt youths.
Gwen Stefani made
what she called ''a major sacrifice'' by wearing
clothes that revealed little at a Kuala Lumpur performance
Tuesday. Muslim students and political activists had
called for her concert to be scrapped because of her
sexy reputation.
Promoters have
announced that Beyonce is scheduled to perform November
1 in this Southeast Asian country-- but with
caveats.
''We've informed
Beyonce's management about this issue of clothes, but
it takes some of the fun out of it,'' said Razlan
Ahmad Razali, chairman of Pineapple Concerts, which is
organizing Beyonce's concert.
''Beyonce
won't be able to do the kind of show here that she does
elsewhere,'' Razlan told the Associated Press. ''She's a
fashion icon, and we know that she often wears
miniskirts and clothes that expose her navel during
her performances. It's a pity to restrict her, because her
costumes are all tasteful and glamorous.''
Kanye West faced
a different problem when he came to Kuala Lumpur in
April, when government officials said he should not
perform one of his biggest hits, ''Jesus Walks,''
because of religious sensitivities about the title,
Razlan said.
Malaysia's
government guidelines for public performances require a
female artist to cover up from the top of her chest to
her knees, including her shoulders. Performers may not
hug or kiss, and their clothes must not have obscene
or drug-related images or messages.
A Pussycat Dolls
concert last year caused its Malaysian organizers to be
fined ($2,857) after the group was accused of flouting
decency regulations.
Such concerns
have made Malaysia less appealing to some stars. A concert
promoter, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the
sensitivity of the issue, said the hassle about
clothes was one of the reasons that Christina Aguilera
skipped Malaysia during a recent Asian tour that
included neighboring Singapore, Thailand, and the
Philippines.
The Pan-Malaysian
Islamic Party, the country's biggest political
opposition group, which opposed Stefani's appearance, says
it will probably protest further if Beyonce or
others like Justin Timberlake perform here.
''Even with Gwen
Stefani, we're not satisfied just because she covered up
at the concert,'' said party official Kamarulzaman Mohamed.
''Outside, she still wears sexy clothes and influences
teenagers who idolize her. It's bad to have immoral
artists visiting Malaysia.'' (AP)